System and method for distributing an identifier redeemable for a plurality of products

Abstract

In one exemplary embodiment, a system and method for distributing an identifier is provided. A database comprising a plurality of unique identifiers is established, wherein each identifier is associated with a set of products and is redeemable for a plurality of the set of products. Indicia of a selected one of said plurality of unique identifiers is distributed to a customer. A first request to redeem the selected identifier for a first product is received from the customer. It is determined whether to authorize redemption of the selected identifier for the first product. An authorization result message is issued to the customer.

1 . A method of enabling a customer to obtain one or more of a predetermined set of products through the use of a unique identifier, the method comprising: 
 establishing a database comprising a plurality of unique identifiers, each identifier being associated in the database with a set of products, each identifier being redeemable for the set of products;    distributing indicia of a selected one of said plurality of unique identifiers to a customer;    receiving a first request from a requester to redeem the selected identifier for a first product;    determining whether to authorize redemption of the selected identifier for the first product; and    issuing a first authorization result message to the requester.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of products comprises at least two different products.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of products comprises at least two different products, each redeemable from a different provider.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 passing to a first provider a request to provide a first product to the customer, wherein the first product is one of the set of products;    passing a redemption confirmation to the requestor; and    amending the database to indicate that the first product has been redeemed.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of distributing to the customer comprises distributing the indicia to a merchant for distribution to a customer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the action of distributing to the customer comprises selling a product to the customer, wherein the product is associated with the identifier.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of distributing to the customer comprises including the indicia with a point-of-sale product that may be purchased by the customer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein indicia is physically coupled to the point-of-sale product.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the indicia is disposed within a packaging of the point-of-sale product.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a stored value card.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining comprises determining whether the first product is one of the set of products associated with the identifier.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining whether the identifier is in the database.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of determining whether to fulfill the request comprises accessing the database and processing information stored in the database associated with the specific identifier.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 passing a fulfillment instruction to a provider to provide the first product to the customer.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a product or service.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product is associated with a plurality of units of value, wherein the units are separately redeemable.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product comprises downloadable content.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product comprises telecommunications service.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving a payment for the first product from the customer.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving a second request from the customer to redeem the selected identifier for a second product, wherein the second product is one of the set of products.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 determining whether to authorize redemption of the selected identifier for the second product; and    issuing a second authorization result message to the customer.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is received over the Internet.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of a plurality of the set of products is associated with a separate account.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a redemption coupon.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a redemption card.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the redemption card includes a machine readable medium having the identifier stored therein.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is redeemable for each of the set of products.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is redeemable for at least one physical product and at least one electronic product.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a receipt having the identifier printed thereon.  
     
     
         30 . A method of distributing an identifier, comprising: 
 receiving a request for a product based on a unique identifier, wherein the product is one of a set of products associated with the identifier in a database, and wherein the identifier is usable to redeem each of the set of products; and    distributing the product to a customer.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the request is received from the customer.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the request is received from a central processor, further comprising: 
 passing a redemption confirmation to the central processor.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the request comprises the identifier, further comprising: 
 determining whether to provide the first product to the customer based on whether the identifier is redeemable for the first product.    
     
     
         34 . A system for distributing an identifier, comprising: 
 a database for storing a plurality of unique identifiers, each identifier being associated in the database with a set of products which can be redeemed by the identifier;    an output device for passing indicia of a selected one of said plurality of unique identifiers for distribution to a customer;    an input device for receiving a first request from the customer to redeem the selected identifier for a first product;    a processor for determining whether to authorize redemption of the selected identifier for the first product; and    an output device for issuing a first authorization result message to the customer.    
     
     
         35 . A computer-readable medium encoded with computer program code to redeem products, the program code effective to perform the following: 
 establish a database comprising a plurality of unique identifiers, each identifier being associated in the database with a set of products, each identifier being redeemable for the set of products;    distribute indicia of a selected one of said plurality of unique identifiers to a customer;    receive a first request from a requestor to redeem the selected identifier for a first product;    determine whether to authorize redemption of the selected identifier for the first product; and    issue a first authorization result message to the requestor.    
     
     
         36 . A method of providing a PIN, comprising: 
 providing a PIN with a product, wherein the PIN is associated with a plurality of products including a first and second product, wherein each product is separately redeemable, and wherein each product is redeemable through a separate distribution channel;    receiving a first request to redeem the first product, wherein the first request comprises the PIN;    determining whether the PIN is associated with the first product;    redeeming the first product through a first distribution channel;    receiving a second request to redeem the second product, wherein the second request comprises the PIN;    determining whether the PIN is associated with the second product; and    redeeming the second product through a second distribution channel.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the first distribution channel is different from the second distribution channel.